NEW ORLEANS – The Sun Belt Conference announced five staff additions on Friday. The new team members are:

·         Sam Knehans, Associate Commissioner, Communications and Branding
·         Akilah Laster, Assistant Commissioner, Communications
·         Miya Garrett, Director of Communications
·         Marcus Bishop, Director of Championships
·         Matthew Nieto, Director of Creative Services
 
“Sam, Akilah, Miya, Marcus and Matt bring a wide range of experience and expertise that will enhance our ability to serve our member institutions,” said Sun Belt Commissioner Keith Gill. “Their passion and dedication will be vital to the growth of our conference.”
 
Sam Knehans, Associate Commissioner, Communications and Branding
Knehans joins the Sun Belt following a five-year stint at The Ivy League as the Assistant Executive Director, Communications and Championships. There he served as the primary communications contact for 11 sports—primarily football; acted as the primary sport administrator for men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s ice hockey and volleyball; oversaw social media strategy; and assisted in the administration of several of the league’s championship events.
 
Knehans will serve as the Sun Belt’s communications contact for football, men’s basketball, baseball and men’s and women’s golf. He will oversee the Sun Belt’s branding initiatives and work closely with the Senior Associate Commissioner to assist the conference’s member institutions.
 
Akilah Laster, Assistant Commissioner, Communications
Before joining the Sun Belt, Laster most recently worked with the University of Tennessee’s Volunteers and Lady Volunteers, serving as the secondary media relations contact for the Vols’ football program and primary contact for UT’s perennial top-25 softball program. While in Knoxville, Laster worked closely with future NFL players, Olympians and prominent coaching staffs to provide quality coverage of UT’s programs. She collaborated with Tennessee’s VFL Films and Creative 151 staffs to produce nationally-recognized content, while continuing to establish herself as a dynamic feature writer and social media strategist.

Laster will act as the communications contact for women’s soccer, women’s basketball and softball. She will put her writing experience to good use by telling impactful stories of the many inspiring student-athletes of the Sun Belt Conference.
 
Miya Garrett, Director of Communications
Familiar with the Sun Belt Conference landscape, Garrett joins the staff after working in the athletic communications office at Arkansas State, an SBC member school, for five years – first as a student intern, before being promoted to the Assistant Director of Media Relations in 2018. Garrett was the primary contact for the Red Wolves baseball, women’s soccer and women’s bowling programs and was responsible for all aspects of team promotions. Her tasks included providing digital content and maintaining the AStateRedWolves.com website, creating press releases, media guides, while producing notes, game recaps and feature stories.

Garrett will serve as the communications contact for volleyball, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s tennis and indoor and outdoor track and field. She will also oversee the conference's social media.
 
Marcus Bishop, Director of Championships
Ahead of joining the Sun Belt, Bishop last served as Director, Sport Administration & Engagement, at the America East Conference, having been elevated from Assistant Director, Operations & Championships. Bishop served as the primary administrative contact and championship director for Women’s Volleyball and Men’s and Women’s Cross Country. He was also the primary contact for the conference’s awards vendor, apparel provider and officiating payment services, along with assisting with overall office management.

Bishop will assist with the planning, management, coordination and execution of all Sun Belt Championships, working with campus and neutral site hosts regarding all aspects of the championship events. He will also assist in the preparation of coaches' meetings and conference calls as well as day-to-day administration and management of sports sponsored by the Sun Belt. 
 
Matthew Nieto, Director of Creative Services
Nieto joins the Sun Belt staff after a four-year stint (2016-2020) as a production team member and TV producer and technician for New Mexico State’s AggieVision. During his tenure with AggieVision, Nieto worked on more than 90 broadcasts and upwards of 20 video projects that highlighted New Mexico State’s 15 athletic programs. He developed motion graphics and video marketing pieces for TV broadcasts, in addition to scripting, editing and voicing several university PSA’s that showcased the NMSU departments.

In his role with the Sun Belt, Nieto will be responsible for creating, producing and editing original video content to be posted on the conference’s social media channels, website, in-venue assets, commercial inventory and other media distribution platforms. In addition to video content, he will also assist in live production surrounding studio shows and Sun Belt Conference Championships.